NPR's firing of Juan Williams has create a firestorm of negative publicity and political calls to defund public broadcasting. How much is the Fannie Mae-Freddie Mac mortgage mess really costing American taxpayers? In the last ten days before mid-terms, who will turn out to vote? Also, is the UK's austerity program to help balance their budget a lesson for the US?

FROM THIS EPISODE

NPR's firing of Juan Williams has create a firestorm of negative publicity and political calls to defund public broadcasting. Is there such a thing as separation between so-called objective versus opinion media? How much is the Fannie Mae-Freddie Mac mortgage mess really costing American taxpayers? In the last ten days before mid-terms, who will turn out to vote? Will age or ethnicity make the difference, and in whose favor? What will the message of the elections be? Also, the UK is headed toward an austerity program, looking for spending restraints to help balance their budget. Is this a lesson for the US? (David Frum sits in for an ailing Tony Blankley.)